Lobbyists on Agency Boards and Commissions

Memorandum of June 18, 2010

Lobbyists on Agency Boards and Commissions

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and
Agencies

My Administration is committed to reducing the undue
influence of special interests that for too long has
shaped the national agenda and drowned out the voices
of ordinary Americans. Special interests exert this
disproportionate influence, in part, by relying on
lobbyists who have special access that is not available
to all citizens. Although lobbyists can sometimes play
a constructive role by communicating information to the
government, their service in privileged positions
within the executive branch can perpetuate the culture
of special-interest access that I am committed to
changing.

On the day after my inauguration, I signed Executive
Order 13490, which places strict limits on the ability
of lobbyists to serve in Government positions related
to their prior lobbying activities. Last September, we
took another step to close the revolving door through
which lobbyists enter and exit Government positions
when we announced that my Administration aspires to
keep Federal agencies' advisory boards free of
federally registered lobbyists. Many departments and
agencies are making this aspiration a reality by no
longer placing federally registered lobbyists on
advisory boards--a practice that I am now establishing
as the official policy of my Administration.

Accordingly, I hereby direct the heads of executive
departments and agencies not to make any new
appointments or reappointments of federally registered
lobbyists to advisory committees and other boards and
commissions. Within 90 days of the date of this
memorandum, the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget shall issue proposed guidance designed to
implement this policy to the full extent permitted by
law. The final guidance shall be issued following
public comment on the proposed guidance.

This memorandum is not intended to, and does not,
create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law or in equity by any party against
the United States, its departments, agencies, or
entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any
other person.

The Director of the Office of Management and Budget is
hereby authorized and directed to publish this
memorandum in the Federal Register.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, June 18, 2010